the epicenter was in germantown, maryland. but it was felt throughout maryland, d.c., parts of northern virginia and west virginia. it woke up our household. kind of a rumble that came in a wave, started low, a crescendo, only five or seven seconds or so. if i didn't know better, i would have it was that old cliche, a massive freight train rumbling by. meteorologists who lived here for decades say this is the most significant quake they've ever felt. small quakes happen every few years, the last one 2.0 in 2008, but literally 200 years ago, matt, an earthquake rat. ed d.c. in 1828. president john quincy adams was in the white house and he was talking about a big shaker. back to you. >> i can't believe you went to the old freight train line there. that's okay. we got you. tom costello in washington. tom, thank you very much. five after the hour, here's meredith. >> matt, thank you. president obama is expected to comment on the situation in the gulf at any moment. chief white house correspondent chuck todd is at the white house